Getting Your Financial Ducks in a Row
The expenses of selling your current house and buying another will take a chunk of your equity. Before selling, weigh the expected capital gains against these transaction costs, as well as the relocation costs. Just like your house will be when those open homes roll around, your finances need to be neat and tidy:
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Review your mortgage: Know your outstanding balance and any early repayment penalties.
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Get a market appraisal: Understand your home’s current market value.
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Set a realistic budget: Factor in agent fees, legal costs, building reports, and any repairs or upgrades.
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Review Debt and Savings: Check your credit cards, insurance payments etc. and make sure you're in the clear.
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Speak to Your Mortgage Broker: Get pre-approval for a new mortgage to be sure you can comfortably buy a new place once you sell. This mortgage calculator is also a great tool! It's independent and current.
Should You Use a Salesperson?
Having a Professionals salesperson on your side to guide you through the selling process can make a huge different to the outcome of the sale. Here are just some of the benefits:
Market Knowledge. Salespeople understand local trends, buyer behaviour, pricing strategies, and what drives demand, helping you position your home for the best possible sale.
Marketing That Works. From great photos and engaging property descriptions to listing strategies and targeted advertising, a salesperson will showcase your home at its best, and suggest touches to help increase the price before going to market.
Skilled Negotiation. Negotiating isn’t just about price; it’s about timing, conditions, competition, and confidence. A great salesperson knows how to keep buyers engaged, handle objections, and secure the strongest possible offer.
Saves Time and Stress. Coordinating open homes, managing enquiries, screening buyers, dealing with paperwork and legalities - your salesperson will handle all of it for you.
Even if you're just starting to think about selling, a good salesperson can provide valuable advice to get your house ready for a successful sale.
What's Included?
Every salesperson will operate slightly differently and may have options for you to choose from, depending on what you're willing to spend and feels most important to you. In a general package, your salesperson will:
- Prepare the marketing plan from photography and messaging, to website listings, social media and everything in between.
- Help you set the sale price and method in alignment with current local market trends.
- Show your home to potential buyers.
Your salesperson will have a database of prospective buyers. Expect appointment viewings as well as open homes. They will also run the open homes for you. - Work to get the best price, in the quickest possible time. They will follow up prospective buyers, bring in offers for consideration, and negotiate on your behalf.
Even after you’ve accepted the offer your salesperson keeps working on your behalf to close the sale and ensure all the legal requirements are met and the paperwork is sorted.
Pre-Open Home Checklist
Every detail counts when it comes to making a good impression on prospective buyers. If you got a free market appraisal, you will have been given some great tips for how you can bump the value of your property with small touch-ups, but here is a general guide:
- Attend to repairs. Small fixes can make a big difference to the overall feel of a place.
- First impressions last. Mow the lawn, clear the doorway, clean & clean again.
- Modernise and minimise. Choose neutral tones when redecorating – your buyers need to be able to easily imagine their own decor and style in the space.
- Hire an expert. Local salespeople are in touch with market trends, not only in terms of how they sell best and pricing, but also style trends that are most effective in drawing in buyers.
Sales Method
Your salesperson can help you make an informed decision on which sale method is best suited to your situation, your property, and the current local market.
- Auction. The highest bidder wins as long as your reserve price has been met. This can drive up the price of your property if there are multiple bidders and is also a favoured option when there is urgency to sell. Ensuring there are multiple interested parties is the key to your success here.
- Tender. Potential buyers submit their offers in writing along with any conditions. You choose which offer is most appealing and you can either accept or negotiate further.
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Negotiation. Your home is advertised at a set price or price range. Potential buyers make offers in writing and then are able to negotiate with you on price and conditions.
Feeling ready? We have salespeople across the country who have all the knowledge and expertise to get your house sale-ready and guide you through the process. Get in touch today and let's start this exciting journey together.